The final week of classes the Early Childhood program students supported the community by volunteering helping the Salvation Army to sort toys and put together stocking stuffers for all the good little boys and girls. These gifts were donated by the community Angle Tree patrons for distribution to low income families in Fond du Lac County.

To learn more about the Early Childhood program visit morainepark.edu/academics/programs

When the need for 9-1-1 services arises, there is no better reassurance than hearing that help is on the way. On average, there are 765,000 medical emergency calls placed annually in the state of Wisconsin. In spring 2019, Greg Mowery, an emergency medical technician (EMT) student at Moraine Park, will be fully trained to help respond to these calls.

“Helping others is my passion,” Greg said. “I am being trained to respond to emergencies quickly and professionally, and to get the patient the care they need as soon as possible.”

Greg was a fire department employee in the state of Oregon and worked on their emergency medical services (EMS) crew. It was there that he helped to save an 8-year old boy who was severely injured in a climbing accident.

“I’m glad I was there,” he said. “I helped stabilize him and with him rode to the hospital. A year later, I saw him out in the community. He didn’t remember me, but I remembered him. While some of his injuries were life-changing, he was alive and well. That is the best feeling, knowing I had a part in saving his life.”

It’s for this reason that Greg decided to become a licensed EMT in the state of Wisconsin, and upon completion, he will be furthering his education in the paramedic program.

“Moraine Park’s Paramedic program instructors are great,” Greg said. “Drew brings great leadership and innovative ideas, and Andy brings a wealth of experience. Together they make a great team.”

Andy Baus and Drew Novak, paramedic program instructors at the College, both have extensive backgrounds in the field and are working to fill our communities with educated paramedics.

Andy, a resident of West Bend, not only has previous on-the-job and teaching experience, but he also comes from a long line of emergency service professionals. Drew, of Waupun, is quite familiar with Moraine Park, having served as an adjunct faculty for the last five years.

Andy and Drew will be instructing the EMT, paramedic and advanced paramedic technical diploma, and the paramedic associates degree program. These are offered at Moraine Park separately or as an opportunity for career laddering by first taking the EMT program and then utilizing that diploma to advance into the paramedic field.

“For anyone in the emergency services profession, education doesn’t stop at the EMT level,” Drew said. “It’s important to keep learning. There are huge opportunities in the field and now is the time to take advantage of those.”

In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for skilled employees in the paramedic field is expected to grow 15 percent by 2026, much higher than the average growth prediction of 7 percent for all occupations. This jump in growth is a result of an aging workforce and the need to fill the positions with trained and licensed professionals.

“The industry encourages students to pursue the paramedic associate degree program,” Drew said. “This allows the opportunity for an extensive hands-on internship and a chance to build a well-rounded background in the field.”

There are also opportunities to complete a fire certification, opening up even more doors for employment.

“Creating relationships with our communities is very important to us,” Drew said. “Many of our students will become employees of the municipalities and private companies in our district. It benefits everyone to make sure they leave the College skilled, educated, and ready to make a difference.”

As for Greg, he is looking forward to the future and expanding his career options. He will graduate in spring 2019 with his EMT diploma and will become a part-time employee of the North Fond du Lac Fire Department. His goals are to utilize his paramedic degree as an employee of the fire department and hopes to one day have the opportunity to follow in Drew and Andy’s footsteps and become an instructor.

“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from Drew and Andy at Moraine Park,” Greg said. “As a result, I will get the opportunity to make a difference and help save lives right in my community.”

Nick Clarenbach, Waupun High School Special Education At Risk Instructor said, ” Thank you so much for this opportunity. The students learned a lot and really enjoyed the entire experience! They were talking about it all the way home!”

LaToya Singleton, of Kewauskum, has a love for children that has no limits. As an early childhood education student at Moraine Park, it is apparent that this career path is her passion.

Originally from Wisconsin, LaToya moved to New Orleans where she successfully operated her own childcare facility for seven years. She moved back to Wisconsin in 2015 to be closer to her family.

Her plan was to bring her childcare business here but found that Wisconsin licensing requires a degree in the field. LaToya is now working towards earning her early childhood education degree at Moraine Park.

LaToya’s love for children is the driving force behind her persistence to obtain her degree.

“My husband and I lost three babies to miscarriage,” LaToya said. “I still wonder why, but now I devote my attention to loving the children that I care for every day. I believe that it takes a village to raise a child and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of their lives.”

It seems that LaToya gives all of herself to everyone in her life. She regularly has a houseful of family and friends, has helped to raise her godson, and serves as a mother figure to many. She also volunteers at a childcare facility in Milwaukee. I guess you could say she’s everything to everyone.

“There is a need for good childcare,” she said. “I’m happy to provide some help.”

LaToya admitted that when she first came to Moraine Park, she was frustrated to have to obtain a degree. She had worked successfully in childcare for many years and didn’t welcome the idea of having to go to school to continue her career. However, she now makes it known that she is adapting well to college life and is enjoying her journey.

“Moraine Park is now my sanctuary,” LaToya said. “I’m making friends and getting used to being around adults on a daily basis.”

She is a member of Moraine Park’s Promise and Edge programs. The Promise program is an opportunity for tuition-free schooling thanks to generous donors. The Edge program is a Student Support Services program that provides academic advising, study groups, cultural services, and many other resources for qualifying students. LaToya hopes that through her work, she can help bring awareness of diversity in the area.

“Moving back to Wisconsin was hard,” LaToya said. “I have experienced some direct racial hate. My hope is that I can show others that it is the brain and heart that really matters.”

Moraine Park works to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment. Support programs like Edge and groups like the Diversity Club, help to provide students with positive college experiences. Despite the obstacles she has had in her life, LaToya remains a positive ray of light.

“I have gotten everything I have ever prayed for,” she said. “I didn’t get them altogether or even on my terms, but I still got them. I asked for children to love, a house, an education, morals, and stability. In some way, I have all of those things. I am blessed.”

The quick conclusion I came to is that we all could use a LaToya in our lives.

She is expected to graduate in May of 2020 with her associate’s degree in early childhood education. She has goals to graduate summa cum laude and as a member of the Phi Theta Kapa Honor Society.

Congratulations to LaToya for her accomplishments so far! We look forward to following her journey!

Janine Williams is a rare gem. Like many of us, her journey has had many twists and bumps in the road, but her defining feature is her shining personality and positive nature. As a student in Moraine Park’s substance abuse counseling program, her a goal is to share her story to help others, and she told me with confidence that God brought her to Moraine Park.

The Waupun Fire Department has graciously allowed Moraine Park students in the entry-level firefighter and certified firefighter classes to use their training facility to practice various skill evaluations. These are vital skills and techniques to keep the fire ground safe and it provides students with the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in the classroom.

We wish the certified firefighter candidates good luck at their upcoming state practical exams, and we extend a big thank you to the Waupun Fire Department and numerous other individuals who volunteer their time to make this training possible and safe for the students.

The Firefighter II Certification class participated in training as part of their program. The class was hosted by the Allenton Fire Department. Students in the class are from local fire departments such as; Allenton, Mayville, Neosho, North Fond du Lac, Town of Fond du Lac, Boltonville, and Random Lake.